The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 290: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MOTHER AND SON 273 ship, now smiling with the utmost amiability, “‘ it shall be so with all my heart.”’ ‘Friends? ’’ he ejaculated, with passionate vehemence. Then suddenly resuming a degree of calmness again, he went on to observe, ‘“‘ But I had not finished the tale I have to tell. The plot was as I have informed you, frustrated: it was to carry off that woman who was beneath my roof — ” “Ah, and the plotters, what became of them?’’ inquired Lady Saxondale, eagerly. “They were suffered to depart,’ responded Deveril. ‘* Let me assure you at once that you have nothing to fear. No public exposure ensued, no authority of the law was in- voked on the occasion. Neither do I come hither to distress you. Would to Heaven that nothing had ever occurred to compel me at one time to take a hostile attitude toward you! - But that woman of whom I have spoken, and who died last night —”’ ‘“ Died?” ejaculated her ladyship, starting as a galvanic thrill of joy swept through her entire frame. “Yes, she is no more,’’ answered Deveril, solemnly. ‘The shock killed her, but while existence still remained, she revealed a secret — ”’ ‘““A secret? Ah, what did she reveal? ‘Tell me,” and Lady Saxondale now surveyed Deveril with breathless suspense. ‘She told me,’ he answered, slowly and solemnly, and fixing upon her Jadyship a leok of so much commiseration and earnest entreaty, as well as deprecating softness, that she was more and more bewildered what to think, “‘ she told me that he who passes before the world as Lord Saxondale is not your offspring, but was her own son.”’ “She told you this?’ murmured her ladyship, in a low, hoarse voice, as her countenance became deadly white. ‘“ And what else said she? ”’ | “That your own son, — he who is indebted to you for his being, he who alone has the right to be regarded as your lawful male ofispring, — that he still lives, that he carries about with him the proof of his identity — Mother!’ cried Deverill, with a sudden gush of uncontrollable feelings, “your son kneels at your feet! ”’ He sank upon his knees as he thus spoke, and Lady Sax- ondale, with a wild start, but a subdued shriek, fell back CONNIEDOOKS (C(O)